Loyalty Is a Two-Way Street

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Oct 10, 2018
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This is the time of year when the rubber starts to hit the road in travel ball. All the promises of tryouts, all the good intentions, and all the talk of “we’re in it for the girls” starts getting tested as games get real and the outcome of the season is at stake. The result […]

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Well written and a timely read for us. DD is finding herself in a spot where loyalty may be holding her back. She's not getting any training or time at a second position but loyalty keeps here there.

She plays first base (competently) for this team for 2 years (this summer will be 3). She shares the position with a pitcher, and an outfielder put in for it for the upcoming summer.

There is a spot that has been particularly weak on her team since she joined and last year DD asked the coach for a shot at playing there as her second position - no one else plays it despite rotating several girls there in practice. DD never saw it in practice or games. DD realizes she needs a second position and had said as much to the coach. At second year 14U it's getting late to develop a second position. She is beginning to wonder if she needs to leave this team to get one. It's loyalty to the team that keeps her there. The team is decent enough (solid B level) and coaching/training is good and puts development above winning. Struggling pitchers stay to get their reps, positions are not changed no matter how many errors, batters stay in the line up no matter how bad a slump they are in.

Now they are in second year 14U and we were thinking it's time to really get serious about deciding if she should stay. If she stays here it looks like she will never learn a second position (and may spend less time at the primary for the development of the new girl). Coach and I (or DD) clearly need to have a talk as HS season is winding down and travel season gets started.
 

Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
KrisHur, it sounds like a decent team overall, and one that is doing most things right. That said, however, it may also no longer be a fit for your daughter. If she can find another competitive team that gives her the opportunity to play her primary position and learn a second one as well she may be better off there. But yes, first give the coach the opportunity to explain why she hasn't been given a shot at the secondary position.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
This is the time of year when the rubber starts to hit the road in travel ball. All the promises of tryouts, all the good intentions, and all the talk of “we’re in it for the girls” starts getting tested as games get real and the outcome of the season is at stake. The result […]

More...
Ken, as usual a very good read. Unfortunately you forgot the third option. How much loyalty should either a player or a team (14U A team) expect when a player doesn't show up for practice for 2 weeks, sticks the team by not showing up for a tournament with no good excuse (went to do something else with friends as an example) and let's the coaching staff know she's not coming all weekend a 1/2 hour before warmups start before the first game in a tournament 2 1/2 hours away from home which doesn't allow time to get a sub??
 
Oct 1, 2014
2,218
113
USA
Good article and a very important topic Ken. As in most things in life there are all kinds and degrees of loyalty...the important task is to figure out early where they lie and and what they mean to you. Most parents and players have blinders on...actions speak louder than words but it may take longer to figure them out.
 

Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
Ken, as usual a very good read. Unfortunately you forgot the third option. How much loyalty should either a player or a team (14U A team) expect when a player doesn't show up for practice for 2 weeks, sticks the team by not showing up for a tournament with no good excuse (went to do something else with friends as an example) and let's the coaching staff know she's not coming all weekend a 1/2 hour before warmups start before the first game in a tournament 2 1/2 hours away from home which doesn't allow time to get a sub??
Yes, that is another situation entirely. Players who do that (or more to the points their parents) are doing a disservice to their teams and really shouldn't expect anything in my opinion. You have to make an effort.
 

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